The topic was like a sour taste in her mouth. "Mr. Monroe, Sebastian and I both signed the divorce papers months ago. We just haven''t finalized the legal process yet.” But she already had a n. Sebastian''s affair with Joanna gave her grounds to file for a unteral divorce.


    Matthew''s gaze deepened. Not finalized? "Natalie, if you need any help, please don''t hesitate to ask. Mypany has excellentwyers."


    "That''s not necessary. I left with nothing, so as long as Sebastian agrees to go to the courthouse and get the certificate, it should be simple." Involving Matthew would onlyplicate things. A simple matter should have a simple solution.


    "Alright. But if you do need me, you must promise not to be a stranger. And thank you again for tonight."


    This was exactly what Natalie wanted-for him to owe her a favor. "Don''t mention it, Mr. Monroe. We''re friends. Helping each other is what friends do." Her smile was as sweet as honey. Have I sessfullytched onto the big boss''s coattails? Matthew finally lowered his head and began to eat with quiet elegance.


    After dinner, Natalie declined Matthew''s offer to drive her home. She called Luna and waited by the curb for her to arrive. It was only ten o''clock, and the streets were still busy with people. Natalie smiled, her expression bright and full of life. The night was beautiful. How could she have been so foolish before, locking herself away in a luxurious mansion, waiting for a man who would never love her back? To yearn for love from someone who couldn''t give it-that was the greatest folly of all.


    "Natalie." A low growl shattered the peace.


    The familiar voice made her jump. She turned. It was Sebastian. He stood a short distance away, the glittering lights of the city skyline framing his handsome, chiseled face. His powerful frame was tall and intimidating.


    Natalie raised an eyebrow. Why was he always haunting her?


    "Come home with me, Natalie. We''re not divorced yet." He strode toward her. "And another thing you''re still a married woman, yet you''re getting cozy with other men. Are you trying to have an affair?"


    The usation hung in the air like a physical weight, and Natalie let out a bitterugh. She looked at him, a sudden wave of sadness washing over her. "Sebastian, how can you even say that? If you chose Joanna, why did you marry me in the first ce? If you had told me you loved her would have refused you without a second thought. But you married me and then you threw me away. I finally figured it out. You only married me because your grandfather forced you to. It was the only way you could secure your inheritance."


    "Grandfather had good intentions. He wanted you to have a family, to settle down: But even so, you had no right to treat me like a toy. When the Scottsbullied me, you joined in hating me, pushing for a divorce Hupe and time again I''ve already signed the papers. What more do you want? And don''t you dare talk to me about affairs when you and Joanna are seen everywhere together."


    Sebastian stared at her, saying nothing, his eyes filled with a storm of unspoken emotions.


    Natalie''sugh was deste. "You know what, Sebastian? You and the entire Scott family are animals. Not a single one of you is decent. You twist the truth to cover for Joanna''s disgusting deeds and pin all the me on me. Did you think I didn''t feel pain just because I didn''t fight back? You were wrong. I was in agony My own parents, my own brother, my own husband.


    all of you hurting me, suppressing me, humiliating me for that woman. It hurt every single time. So, Sebastian, whether you finalize this divorce or not, I will never love you again. If you want to drag this out and let the precious apple of your eye, Joanna, be branded a homewrecker, then by all means, carry on."